November 2017

NEW RELEASES FROM KING & COUNTRY!

NOVEMBER is upon us and, before, we know it, Christmas will be too! As you are about to discover there are quite a few items in this month’s release schedule that will make excellent gifts for family and friends who love history… As well perfect presents from yourself… to yourself.

So, without further ado let’s go ‘look-see’ what’s in store for November…

1. "COMING IN NOVEMBER"

Why not begin with an old, long-time favourite… ‘NAPOLEONICS’.

For colour and spectacle ‘The Age of Napoleon’ is hard to beat and here you can see why… Continuing our catalogue of the Grenadiers of the ‘Old Guard’ at the time of Waterloo we have 2 x small Two-Figure Grenadier Sets…

From ancient times armies have always acquired female ‘camp followers’; women who accompanied their men into battle and fed them, tended their wounds, sometimes even carried their packs and equipment... as well as providing other ‘creature comforts.’

All for the sake of a little protection and safety in a distinctly violent and unsettled world.

In Napoleonic times the practice continued and even increased as Napoleon and his Armies traversed the continent and beyond.

Different regiments attracted different kinds of female companions. The Cavalry being among the smartest turned-out also tended to welcome some of the prettiest ladies...

Here, is one such young lady, Monique, who has attached herself to the 7th Hussars.

Yet another fetching young lass, ‘Sophie’ is much enamoured with the officers of the 3rd Hussars... As they no doubt are with her!

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

2. "THE U.S. ARMY AT WAR 1944/45"

Over the years King & Country has produced more World War Two American G.I.’s than all other toy soldiers companies combined!

We’ve had them fighting through Italy and France in 1943 and ’44… We’ve had them storming the beaches of Normandy on June 6 and battling their way through the Norman ‘bocage’ after D.Day.

We’ve taken them to the ‘Bulge’ in the winter of 1944 and had them defend Bastogne against all odds when no one thought they had a chance.

Now, they’re taking the war into the very heart of the Third Reich with this latest batch of “Fighting GI’s”…

Decked-out in the Olive Green M1943 field jacket these newest ‘Dogfaces’ come in a range of useful battlefield poses reflecting the reality of street fighting in Nazi Germany in the closing months of WW2.

The .30 cal. machine gun was usually not part of the regular rifle platoon weapons list... They were attached to battalions and companies who would then supply them to platoons whenever or wherever it was deemed necessary.

Our 2-man team would provide a volume of suppressing fire that would allow the riflemen to position themselves best for an attack on the enemy.

The standard U.S. Army Squad Light Machine Gun was the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (the B.A.R.). It used a twenty-round box magazine and performed in a similar squad support role as the British Bren.

Our BAR Gunner appears to be looking around a corner to get a better view of the enemy.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

SPECIAL NOTE: Additional ‘Fighting GI’s’ will be released in December…

AVAILABILITY: Mid November

3. "THE RATS OF TOBRUK"

This nickname was given in particular by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel to the ‘Diggers’ of the 9th Australian Division (plus one brigade of the 7th) as well as other British, Polish and Indian units defending the besieged Libyan port city of Tobruk.

The siege began in April 1941 and lasted until almost December of that same year.

‘ORIGINS OF THE NAME’

The mainly Australian garrison was extremely adept at utilizing captured enemy equipment and would go out of their way, after every enemy assault, to go forward into the battlefield at night to recover as much as they could that might be reusable.

At the same time the Tobruk defenders dug an extensive network of tunnels and shelters to supplement their trenches… and used them frequently when under heavy bombardment.

‘Lord Haw-Haw’, the British traitor and German propagandist took up Rommel’s description dismissing the garrison as ‘the miserable desert rats of Tobruk’…

The defenders thereafter adopted the title with pride!!!

ABOUT THE SETS

The original idea for these sets came from a pair of Australian collectors attending the K&C Evening organized by Peter Nathan of Elite Military Miniatures in Sydney earlier this year. As soon as I heard the idea, I loved it and so, here it is!

One more Australian infantryman together with his ‘BOYS Anti Tank Rifle’ takes aim at an approaching enemy vehicle.

Although adequate against light tanks and armoured cars in the early part of the war the ‘BOYS’ was ineffective against heavier armour. It was phased out by mid war... but still in use at the time of Tobruk.

Someone, somewhere is dreaming of a White Christmas and this GI has decided to brighten up the drab wartime Yule Tide with a visit to a local orphanage!

Using typical ‘GI ingenuity’ this soldier has found an old Santa / St. Nick costume, ‘borrowed’ a military motorcycle and side car and loaded it up with whatever toys and gifts he and his fellow GI’S could find. They’ve even donated a whole case of a popular, well-known American drink that these kids have never tasted before.

This will be one wartime Christmas they will never forget!

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

5. "THE MID-DAY MEAL"

From war-torn Europe to the “Streets of Old Hong Kong”… All in one mighty leap!

Two hard-working ‘Coolies’ (labourers) enjoy a well-earned rest from their labours and tuck into some simple but nourishing soup and vegetables.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

6. "NOTTINGHAM’S EVIL-DOERS IN ACTION"

Although Robin Hood & His Merrie Men may rule the green-leafed glades of Sherwood Forest the dastardly Sherrif of Nottingham and his not-so-merry-men hold considerable sway elsewhere in the Country and Castle that dominates the town of Nottingham itself.

Two more fighting swordsmen and three additional Men-At-Arm’s prepare to join the Sherrif in searching and seeking out the elusive Robin as well as gathering in the taxes for the wicked and equally cruel Prince John…

7. "“ACHTUNG TIGER!"

There’s not a lot to say about the PzKpfw VI, better known as “The Tiger”, that has not been said before… It is, quite simply, the most famous German tank of World War Two… Perhaps, the most famous tank ever and certainly the most popular and the most collected!!!

Given its ‘TIGER’ nickname by its designer Ferdinand Porsche it has been called ‘The most outstanding tank design of its time.’ That it most definitely was BUT it also had some mighty faults… It was over-engineered… it required considerably greater resources of materials and manpower to manufacture it and… its fuel consumption was staggering (at a time when German fuel production was actually dramatically decreasing).

Its heavy armour and mighty ’88 gun were indeed impressive… and did terrify its enemies both on the Eastern and Western Fronts… But its manufacturing cost and its requirement for specially-trained crews meant that it never had the full impact on the Allies that it might have had. Just 1,347 Tigers were actually built between August 1942 and August 1944. After that time production of the Tiger I was phased out in favour of the Tiger II, better known as the ‘King Tiger’.

That all being said its fighting reputation among its opponents spread far and wide and led, in some cases, to almost panic whenever it appeared on the battlefield.

By far the most famous commander and promoter of the ‘Tiger’ legend was a young Waffen SS officer called… Michael Wittmann.

By the winter of 1943, Michael Wittmann had already acquired plenty of battlefield experience with the relatively new Pz. Kpfw. VI “TIGER”.

During the Battle of KURSK in early July, 1943 the young platoon leader had destroyed dozens of Soviet tanks, self-propelled guns and even artillery pieces… He also survived a collision with a burning Red Army tank!

By the Fall and Winter of 1943 he continued to add numerous ‘Kills’ to his tally and was recognized for his achievements by the ‘Top Brass’ with awards and presentations.

One particular ‘presentation’ was special that was when Wittmann and his crew were to meet Jochen Peiper, another noted and popular Waffen SS officer.

For Josef Goebel’s Propaganda Ministry this was a major event to be recorded for posterity… Two Nazi Heroes for the price of one!

Although the Tiger’s ‘Winter Whitewash’ is beginning to wear-off the tank stands in all its glory...

As a ‘Command Tank’, the model sports 3 x Radio Antennas, and 2 x top turret hatches that open and close allowing collectors, if they wish, to place figures in the ‘open’ position or have everything ‘bolted down’ for battle.

The main gun also elevates and depresses as required. Interestingly, although the tank itself has a battle-worn appearance the ‘kill’ markings on the 88mm gun are brand-new. This was because, for propaganda purposes, it made for a better picture to ‘show the folks back home’ just how successful Michael Wittmann and his crew had been.

In reality, tank commanders would not have wished to draw even more enemy attention to themselves, their crew and vehicle with such an ostentatious and obvious display.

This SIX-FIGURE set portrays the moment when Jochen Peiper, also in black tank uniform, greets the junior officer Michael Wittmann and his crew.

As you see Peiper gives the almost-casual half ‘Heil Hitler’ salute while the younger Wittmann gives the full, extended right arm salute in reply. Wittmann’s Crew stand-at-attention waiting to be introduced.